Page 1 of River of Deceit

1

PANDORA

GET YOUR FRESHER ON!

The brothers of ΚΑΩΣ

and

The sisters of NYX

Invite YOU

To join us for the first party of the school year!

Bring a friend. Or ten!

Get to know your future classmates

And potential future brothers and sisters!

The flyer inviting all freshmen to a welcoming party hosted by the most elite fraternity and sorority at Dyschord University is printed on garishly neon green paper that might as well be screaming in my face. There's a picture of a snake with a sword at the bottom, and I have no idea what that's about butI'm digging the snake.

"And remember, the legal drinking age is twenty-one,noteighteen," the student coordinator says. "The campus has a strict policy against underage drinking."

I bite my lip to keep from laughing out loud, considering the flyer in my hand. One of many that had been passed around to the incoming freshman class during this welcoming presentation. I'mverysure there won't be any underage drinking there.

The noise of other students shuffling and moving around me seems to indicate that the presentation is over and I start making my way towards the exits along with everyone else. Near the door is a basket full of condoms and I grab a handful as I pass by.

One of the other young women notices me and gives me a judgmental look. Tall, blonde, pastels. She looks like she just stepped out of a Purity Culture for Jesus recruitment brochure.

"What? You'd rather I get pregnant or spread a bunch of diseases?" I ask, giving her a cheeky wave.

"Slut," the girl hisses. I can hear the derision dripping off every letter. It makes me laugh. I know what I am, and I'm not ashamed about it in the slightest. Certainly not to someone likeher.

"Don't worry, I'll keep all the guys occupied so they won't bother you."

"Iknow how to say no, thanks." Her lip curls in a sneer. "I feel sorry for your poor roommate."

I shrug. "She'll deal."

Making a noise of disgust, she shoves past me and disappears into the thinning crowd of freshmen students spilling out into the quad.

If I'm lucky the other room in my dorm suite will remain unoccupied, but I know that's unlikely. Dyschord University is a highly sought out,eliteuniversity. This is where the rulers of the country send their children. This is where the networking begins.

Where the dark webs get woven.

The sky is spotless, but it still feels like a cloud passed over with the sudden chill that dances down my spine. The rough texture of the lucky charm in my pocket calms the dark thoughts that threaten tobubble to the surface. I squeeze it, letting the familiar contours soothe me.

According to the flyer, the welcome party started about an hour ago, and other students are making their way in the same direction I am. Most of them are grouped up into twos and threes. Here with friends, or having started to make new friends already.

It would've been nice to have my best friend here with me.

She was supposed to be.

Everything would've been different.Weshould be walking arm in arm, like some of them are. Two carefree freshmen starting our scholastic journey. Or pretending to be.

I shake the thoughts away and the ache that accompanied them. I can't let them set in like this. Not now, not here.